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U.S. History - 1970’s

U.S. History - 1970’s. Watergate Lesson 2. Roots of Watergate. The Watergate scandal became huge when Carl and I started reporting on the Nixon administration’s attempts to cover up the break-in at the DNC HQs. . Nixon Popular foreign policy Unpopular War “Enemy List”. vs.

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U.S. History - 1970’s

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  1. U.S. History - 1970’s Watergate Lesson 2

  2. Roots of Watergate The Watergate scandal became huge when Carl and I started reporting on the Nixon administration’s attempts to cover up the break-in at the DNC HQs. • Nixon • Popular foreign policy • Unpopular War • “Enemy List” vs I hate the radicals and hippies

  3. The Break-In • Date: June 17, 1972 • Goal: • Steal information from the Democratic Party’s headquarters to obtain sensitive campaign information • Any edge to win reelection • The Team: • CREEP = (CRP) = Committee to Re-elect the President • Purpose – raise funds for Nixon’s Campaign • The White House Plumbers • Stop classified information from “leaking” to the news media

  4. The Cover-Up • President orders a cover-up • Asked the CIA to stop the FBI from investigating the source of the money to pay the burglars • Claimed it would threaten national security • (CREEP – raised $500,000 to pay the burglars to keep silent) • Re-elected by 61%

  5. The Cover-Up Unravels • John Dean – a member of the inner circle at the W.H. • “Nixon played an active role in covering up any White House Involvement” • Alexander Butterfield – W.H. aid • Nixon had a taping system installed in the W.H. (not the first President to do so)

  6. The Case of the Tapes • The Senate’s Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities was holding the Watergate hearings • Needed the tapes as evidence • Executive Privilege – W.H. conversations should remain confidential to protect national security

  7. Vote to Impeach Nixon • House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Nixon (officially charge him of presidential misconduct) • Charges: • Obstructed justice in the Watergate Cover-up • Misused federal agencies to violate the rights of citizens • Defied the authority of Congress by refusing to deliver the tapes Nixon Resigns August 9, 1974

  8. Impact of Watergate New Series of Laws Passed Designed to Limit the Power of the Executive Branch In the 1970s Congress passed a number of laws aimed at reestablishing a greater balance of power in government Federal Campaign Act Amendments limited campaign contributions and established an independent agency to place stricter laws on election issues People left with an even deeper distrust in public officials

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